Freezing for the Future: Obtaining Fibroblast Samples from Deceased Wild Mammals for the Brazilian Cerrado Germplasm Bank.

We isolated and further characterized fibroblasts obtained from skin biopsies of three different Brazilian wild species (-maned wolf, -crab-eating fox, -brown brocket deer). The effects of two cryoprotectants, 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and 5% dimethylformamide (DMF), were assessed to determine the most efficient cryopreservation protocol. Such an investigation promotes the creation of germplasm banks, using samples that would otherwise be rejected and permanently lost following the death of the animals.

Trypanosomatid infections in captive wild mammals and potential vectors at the Brasilia Zoo, Federal District, Brazil.

Background: Conservation projects in zoos may involve translocation of captive animals, which may lead to pathogen spread. Neotropical mammals are important hosts of Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp. the etiological agents of Chagas disease and Leishmaniasis respectively.